Supreme Court of Canada shares date on decision to hear Ostrich cull case

The Supreme Court of Canada will decide next Thursday whether to take on a case from Universal Ostrich Farms concerning a mandated cull by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) due to avian flu. The CFIA ordered the cull after confirming H5N1 flu in two of the farm's deceased birds, which resulted in the death of 69 ostriches. The farm's owners argue that the surviving ostriches are healthy and should not be culled, requesting further testing on the remaining flock. The CFIA, however, maintains that even healthy-appearing birds can spread the virus. The court has issued a temporary stay of the cull, allowing the CFIA to take custody of the birds while awaiting its decision.

If the court declines the case, the cull will proceed, impacting the remaining flock. The outbreak of avian influenza has surged in B. C. ’s Fraser Valley, with nine commercial poultry flocks affected recently. The Supreme Court's decision will be announced at 9:45 a.

m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 6.